March 15, 2010

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The escalating Netanyahu-Obama feud over the settlement issue has divided the two most prominent (and warring) Israel-centric interest groups in DC -- with AIPAC backing Israel and J Street supporting the tough line adopted by the White House.

In a statement released on Sunday, AIPAC took a shot at Obama and Co. for blowing up after Netanyahu's right-wing housing minister green-lighted permits for more than a 1,600 units for Jewish settlers in disputed east Jerusalem. The announcement came as Vice-President Joe Biden proclaimed America's "unvarnished commitment to the security of Israel during a meeting with Netanyahu, a move viewed by just about everybody as a slap in the face.

AIPAC's Josh Block:

The Obama Administration’s recent statements regarding the U.S. relationship with Israel
are a matter of serious concern. AIPAC calls on the Administration to take immediate
steps to defuse the tension with the Jewish State. [snip]

The escalated rhetoric of recent days only serves as a distraction from the substantive
work that needs to be done with regard to the urgent issue of Iran’s rapid pursuit of
nuclear weapons, and the pursuit of peace between Israel and all her Arab neighbors.

We strongly urge the Administration to work closely and privately with our partner
Israel, in a manner befitting strategic allies, to address any issues between the two
governments.

The progressive, pro-Obama J Street is out with a statement of their own this morning, 180 degrees off of AIPAC's. J Street founder Jeremy Ben Ami, a former Clinton administration policy adviser and Howard Dean confidante, puts the onus on Israel:

“The recent escalation of tension between the United States and Israel – sparked by Israel’s announcement regarding 1600 housing units in East Jerusalem – is a matter of serious concern to J Street and Israel’s friends generally.

Preventing provocative actions which undermine the peace process and decisions which weaken U.S. credibility in the region is also a matter of fundamental American national security interest, particularly as the U.S. government working to build a broad international coalition to address the Iranian nuclear program. [snip]

That is all the more reason why the Obama administration’s reaction to the treatment of the Vice President last week and to the timing and substance of the Israeli government’s announcement was both understandable and appropriate.

Reader Comments (66)

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i am glad to see this hard line against Israel - kudos the administration for smacking them right back and apparently knocking them back on their heels a bit. it's about time. now...let's just pull some $$ and see what happens...

Posted By: i am glad to see this hard line against Israel - kudos the administration for smacking them right ba | March 15, 2010 at 10:32 AM

J Street does not deny that even a small portion of their funding comes from individual Arabs and other Muslims.
That is a critical distinction with AIPAC.
It is then absolutely no wonder that J Street has a different perspective. It would also be useful to know who in the White House belongs to/has been lobbied by J Street - Rahm? Ax? and so Obama!
By the way, the term "progressive" should be in quotes because that is what J Street calls itself. Otherwise, Glenn Thrush needs to explain what that means.

AIPAC's taking the side of a foreign government against ours says it all. This is consistent with its unflinching support of the extremist, right-wing government of Israel whose policies threaten the very existence of the state of Israel (the opinion of a recent editorial in the Israeli daily, "Haaretz").

Please EGB, trying being rational.
AIPAC is not taking the side of a foreign government against us. They are calling for a moderate response.
Our government is behaving in a bizarre fashion - and that's scary.
J Street, on the other hand, is buying into an unnecessary escalation. Unfortunately, we will pay v. heavily for Obama's misstep b/c the Arabs will see this as weakness, rather than strength.

More proof that some so called Americans are anything but -- supporting a foreign nation over their own because of some fairy tale written by superstitious men thousands of years ago -- don't get me wrong, the bible has some great wisdom, but the right wings contemptible and destructive embracing of it in totality -- traitorous.

AIPAC, please get a grip. I am an unapologetic supporter of Israel, but I am also with Biden that Paletine is also valued and important, thus, as Israelis and Palestinians are valued and important, a two-state conclusion is the solution. What was done while VP Biden stepped on Israeli soil with opened arms in peace and unfaultering friendship for Israel, will not soon be foregotten by me. It is not just Obama and Biden who are angered and deeply offended, it is the many who held such hope for Joe Biden's visit who are changed.

I agree that the reaction is more significant because of our present POTUS and his views of the middle east, but probably a bit more because of the personal hurt caused to VPOTUS. Biden doesn't waver in his affection for others, Israel no different even while he backs two states. But this was sad as well as maddening.

AIPAC calls on the US to defuse the tension? Why don't they call on Israel to defuse the tension? Whose side are they on? If they are Israelis, then let them move to that county as advocate as foreign nationals. How is siding with a foreign government against US interests not treason?

Posted By: AIPAC calls on the US to defuse the tension? Why don't they call on Israel to defuse the tension? Wh | March 15, 2010 at 11:40 AM

Once again the right tries to put people in a box and give it a name. unpatriotic, liberal, socialist, anti-semitic. One can have an opinion even a negative opinion of some of the decisions made by the Israeli government and not be anti-Israel. What happened in Israel while the VP of the US was visiting was just wrong. Israel has only one real ally on this planet and it is the US. If the US decided to hold back some of that 3.5 billion that they give Israel annually or the weapons that we supply Israel with maybe they won't spit in our face when we visit. That is not anti-semitic that is wishing for a different outcome in a country that is heavily supported by my tax dollars.

I do not support the goals or ideological leanings of AIPAC, but I do support Israel. I too am deeply angered and disturbed by the Israeli government's spit in the face to Biden. Such disrepect is not in Israel's best interest. One would think that with the spotlight being on Israel for the recent assassination in Dubai that such a diplomatic spat would have been avoided. The religously conservative Israeli electorate is pushing the Netanyahu government toward a path that will not be easy to walk back from. Anyway, thank god that American Jews see through this bizarre behavior on the part of this conservative block in Israel. At least 80% of Jews in the USA will continue to vote for Obama and democratic candidates in the coming elections. That is what matters most in this nation.

Israel and their paid lackeys AIPAC are becoming more and more unhinged and reckless. They put US soldiers' lives at risk. AIPAC better understand that US interests come first. Otherwise, let them be tried for treason.

Stop all aid to Israel. No longer act as their defenders in the UN or the Security Council. If Israel thinks it can spit on our faces and do whatever they want, let them do it on their own without US support. Insult us, insult our representatives, spit on US interests, then let them try to survive on their own. Even we who support Israel's right to exist are sick of their shenanigans.

While the announcement timing of this particular settlement was in error (though it is in an undisputed part of East Jerusalem), it now occurs to me that Biden's show of love was suspect, too.
Obama was just waiting for a pretext to
skewer (polite term) Israel.
Would you trust this guy's administration as a mediator at the negotiating table, if you were Israel?

Yet again Israel's enablers are screaming "anti-Semitism" their catch-all victim mentality against those who oppose Israel's extreme and oppressive policies but love their people. When will Israel accept that their right wing policies are hurting themselves and more importantly, putting US interests at risk? The US must react to secure our own goals in regard to the Middle East. Bibi better wake up.

I am a veteran of the Israeli Army and I am pro-peace. You cannot be pro-peace and be unwilling to criticize Israel. Therefore, anybody who claims that J Street or Obama are bad because they are trying to take peace seriously is ignorant, no matter how many facts he has.
The Palestinians have many of their own problems, and with Israel's cooperation in the West Bank, they are addressing them responsibly. But when an argument breaks out between the White House and Shas, who are essentially Jewish Taliban, I will side with the White House. If you don't, and you are American, even if you are Jewish, shame on you!

Hi Israeli-military veteran,
I don't know what Shas is, but a comparison to Taliban is totally uncalled for. Taliban are not elected and are not a responsible government. That Obama is escalating a situation for his own purposes is no reason to demean or diminish Bibi. Israeli arrogance is a very useful survival mechanism, absolutely. BUT don't dare use your Israeli arrogance to shame any American Jews.

J Street or Progressives are missing the point. They do not represent the true feelings of the Jewish people. These idiots are simply representing tose who are anti Jews. Every Jew is entitled to the promised Land given to them by God Almighty. No one else, I mean no one else can change this fact. We have to look beyond World War II. Look at the Living, Breathing Word of God and we do not need any more evidence to prove the ownership of Jews of the entire land, Palestinians are illegally occupying this land for so long. Legitimate Jews are returning to their own promised land and they need to be settled.

I thought the threat of Iran was Israel's main concern not building more settlements. I agree with J Street, it's not in Israel's interest to spit in the eye of V.P. Joe Biden. And J Street is not funded by Arabs, but American Jews.

Israel can do what it wants to do. I just don't see why we have to finance their efforts that are contrary to our interests. I wouldn't bankroll a child who disobeys me - why should this be any different?

Fascinating...
Looks like there are some interesting types that belong to J Street.
See comments of "Pround American Jew and member of J Street"
Who is in back of J Street anyway? There may be American Jews, but looks to me like there are lots of others.
This is v. strange talk - is this real?

It's about time we Americans smell the coffee and take off our blinders to what's going on in the Mideast, including Israel. The fact is that we have no friends there. We have business and oil-interests, and sometimes mutual political interests, so when it's to both sides advantage, we co-operate with each other to achieve the same ends. Israel pretends to be our so-called 'only friend in the Mideast' in order to get $3.5 billion of our tax dollars per year, an open market for their goods ( including military contracts which take away a lot of American jobs), a military umbrella (big-brother protecting little brother, if need be), and an inside track to any military hardware we have, and give them for practically nothing. Israel will always pretend to be our friend (in reality our 'fair-weather friend') as long as they can use us for their own good. When it's in their interests, they'll throw us to the wolves in a nano-second, as they did when they deliberatly attacked our ship the USS Liberty in 1967, killing 34 US sailors, and wounding 170-- shooting many of them while they were in lifeboats and swimming in the water. Anybody who has ever read the books "The Attack on the Liberty" by James Scott, and "Assault on the Liberty" by James M. Ennes Jr. can't possibly believe that that attack was not deliberate and planned by the Israeli military who knew that that ship was a US ship (one Israeli pilot even radioed back to Israeli headquarters that the ship that they were ordered to attack, was an American ship, and was ordered to continue the attack and keep radio silence). It also proved how powerful the American Israeli-lobby is in our government. This attack was the only attack against our country, that was never investigated by a Senate Committee. All US military personel, and all USS Liberty officers and sailors were warned never to talk about it to civilians, or write anything about it with threats of court martials and criminal proceedings--i e THE FIX WAS IN! (From a recently released Freedom of Information Act news item) While the badly damaged USS Liberty was limping home to Norfolk shipyards for repairs, US Senators and military Admirals (including John McCains father) and other officers, were debating deliberatly sinking the USS Liberty en route, so as to not give the American news media and public full knowledge of the severity of this Israeli attack against us.

Israel leaders do not know how to behave with their neighbors and would you expect a different outcome with us. They create their own problems and should be left to stew in their own soup. You would expect some sign of diplomacy, but I see none. They don't want us and we don't need them

Ruffles1- I appreciate your passionate support of the Jewish people, but if you don't know what Shas is, then you might need to learn more before expecting your opinion to deserve any respect. Settlements are a huge problem- they benefit certain political alliances and certain Israelis who get cheaper land. But they tax the military, bruise Israeli's larger diplomatic goals, and strain relations with America. And America ought to have the right to say so without kneejerk accusations of anti-semitism. Not one single anti-Obama post here has mentioned one single thing about what's good for America (Israel is America's best ally does not equal Israel should be allowed to screw America whenever they feel like it). If y'all are real patriots, I wish you'd start acting like it.

I thought Obama was going to make the world love us again. Instead he alienates our allies and supports our enemies. First he sells out Poland and the Czech Republic to Russia and gets nothing for it. Then he shows his commitment to our "Special Relationship" with Britain by staying neutral in their dispute with Argentina over the Falkland Islands. Then he says Israel should stop all settlements without pre-condition, thus taking away a bargaining chip from our closest ally in the region while asking nothing of the Palestinians, and is surprised when Israel stands their ground. Then he ratchets up the rhetoric against Israel which weakens not only Israel's position but our's also. Why would anyone want to be an ally of the United States if this is how we treat our best friends???

Why is the onus always on Israel in peace negotiations?? In 1947 Israel accepted the UN partition plan and the arabs chose war. In 1967 they offered to return all occupied territories in exchange for peace and the arabs chose war. In 1973 they again fought back aggression and later only Egypt accepted peace. Rabin, Barak, Sharon and Ohlmert all offered everything the Palestinians said they wanted and the Palestinians chose escalating terrorism and war. When will the world understand that the Palestinians don't want peace. They will only accept the destruction of Israel. Perhaps the pre-condition should be the recognition of Israel's right to exist by the Arab states, particularly the Palestinians. The liberals who love to be a part of the blame America first crowd also find a nice comfortable home in the blame Israel first club. Gee if only Israel would allow themselves to be destroyed then everything would be great because we have seen how well her neighbors have built their fine democracies and protected the rights of their citizens. What a joke!

Wasn't it OBAMA, on one of his Euro-Islamo "apology" tours that said that the U.S. had sometimes been over-reaching in dictating to other countries?? So what the heck is he doing sticking his nose in Israel's business? This president definitely biased when it comes to issues involving Israel and Hamas (and their Arab supporters). Double-talk again from "O-bozo"....say one thing, do another!

This amature admin. got exactly what it deserved! They blew into office with nothing but ignorance and arrogance on their plate. Who the hell are they to immediately come into power and start lecturing ANYONE?

There was no slap in the face. Obama lost his temper. He got caught playing the role of a Crusader King, trying to decide the fate of Jerusalem from far overseas. Obama promised his Arab friends he would conquer and divide Jerusalem to let the Arabs fly a flag in the spiritual heart of the Jewish people. As if the Arabs don't have enough capitols already. But then a municipal authority gives building permits? It is only a slap in the face if you promised your Arab friends that you would stop it. Obama gave false assurances to Israel that he would set a time-limit on negotiations with Iran. Now he has coerced Israel into not attacking Iran and accepting a nuclear armed Iran announcing the impending destruction of Israel. Wouldn't that be considered a slap in the face? Obama created the crisis. Some reporter will ask him if he supports the aspirations of the Palestinian people for a capitol in Jerusalem. Watch his face and parse his answer to that. Did he lie to the Arabs to get them to agree to negotiate? Or did he lie when he stated the parties would decide the final status issues? Obama supporting a divided Jerusalem is giving safe haven for terrorists inside the nation's capitol.

There will only be peace in the Middle East when Muslims love their children more than they hate Israelis.
Sick, sick cult.
Give them Gaza... what do they do? Tear it to shreds, burn everything to the ground and launch missiles from there.
Yeah, let's give 'em a state.
And as for Israeli aid? We do send millions upon millions to the "Palestinians". I bet a helluva lot goes to bullets and bombs.

J Street isn't pro Israel.... and for you not to mention how controversial this group is , says more about your biases then a supposed Israel lobby that was contrived as a way to give cover to liberal Jews who are anti Israel.

So many so-called Americans siding with Israel against insults to the US and our interests. Pathetic. Being pro-Israel doesn't mean supporting their self-destructive policies. Supporting the Israeli people doesn't mean agreeing with the insane extremist policies of foolish Bibi. The Likudniks are alienating their most important ally, the one standing between them and destruction. Do they think they can stand alone in the Middle East without US support? That they have any standing with Russia and China over sanctions against Iran? Ahmadenejad is laughing at Bibi's bumbling. Bibi is putting his country at risk over illegal settlements and turning the world against Israel.

" Palestine is also important? Aren't these the same people who were dancing in the streets after 9/11? Didn't Hamas give candy to the children in celebration? What do we care what they think?"
Posted By: bob | March 15, 2010 at 11:36 A "
This is nothing but a Zionest propoganda presented by their news media all over the world . little children have Parades, celibrations , dances and what ever they do for many reasons, The news takes a picture , keep them for any chance to inject their poison like a snake .Is thisnot what ruined the trust between us and the rest of the world ? The news media is painting the whole world to be our enemy every chance they get , making Isarael and AIPAC to look like our only friends ( even if the spit in our vice president face )

Posted By: " Palestine is also important? Aren't these the same people who were dancing in the streets after 9/ | March 15, 2010 at 11:40 PM

AIPAC and J-Street "the two most prominent Israel-centric interest groups in DC"???
Reminds of the Israeli joke about the importance of the new Israeli allaince with India -- between them they have a quarter of the world's population! In the same way, between AIPAC and J-Street you've got 100% of the pro-Israel movement in the US. AIPAC has 100% and J-Street has 0%.

AIPAC should just omit America from its name, since they are entirely agents of Israel and only Israel. That they should side against the US government and on the side of a foreign government is no less than treason.

Only Obama could figure a way to needlessly alienate a key ally, just when his administration needs to focus on domestic issues. I guess that's what lack of executive experience gets you; that and sending Joe Biden to the Mid East.

Posted By: Only Obama could figure a way to needlessly alienate a key ally, just when his administration needs | March 16, 2010 at 07:56 AM

The Washington politicians do not understand who and what their really dealing with when it comes to Isarel, it's not just another politico scenrio, they're dealing with the Lord God's land and people...Mishandled, His wraft falls upon their heads and the USA.

Posted By: The Washington politicians do not understand who and what their really dealing with when it comes to | March 16, 2010 at 12:07 PM

Let's face it - Israel believes it's a law unto itself, its collective psyche is imprinted with paranoia, it cannot and does not want to get past the Holocaust. It perceives all criticism as a threat; it looks upon Iran as a threat to its security and survival, yet it is Israel who has over 200 nuclear warheads! Syria, Lebanon, the Arab world is seen as a threat, too. Paranoia is loyal only to its fear. Paranoia is incapable of being a friend to anyone nor does it trust anyone. I say to the Obama Admin.- cut off our monetary and military aid to Israel.
The descendants of the Holocaust victims took on the role of the Nazis in their continual inhumanity toward the Palestinians . The world, for the most part - until recently - had remained silent - same as it did during Hiltler's rampage. More is our collective shame as human beings when we allow ethnic cleansing in this 21st. Century.

Barack Hussein Obama II , Joseph Robinette "Joe" Biden, Jr. , George John Mitchell , and Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton - decide to harm Israel :
1. They Don't let Israel attack Iranian nuclear weapons plants
2. They and others didn't stop Iran to get it...
3. They just giving Iran more time for more bombs
4. Iran train, equip, and financier terrorists in Lebanon , Syria , GAZA - Hamas and others include in PLO , Yemen , Saudi Arabia , Egypt , IRAQ... , Afghanistan , South America ...! , north America ...! - And those and other MF - just more soft to them...
- Why ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtP9KU7FuaY&feature=fvw
5. After Mitchell and Biden visit they inflame the ARABS in Israel - as in every "peace process" - include OSLO - and you can see today the Arabs riots...
6. Arabs should go back to Arabia, Arab from Arabia , Jew / Jude from Judea.
The people of Israel live in the land of Israel for more than the last 3000 years...
If other subjugators / empires took control on the land of Israel - That is their problem !
IRAN WANT TO DESTROY ALL THE WORLD AND MAKE THE REMAINING SHIITE !
They sick and they will do it !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtP9KU7FuaY&feature=fvw
They didn't care to waste about 1,000,000 soldiers during ~10 years war against Iraq - and won't care to waste more. He Shaheed , will have 72 virgins, next...
7. and guess what ?
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/07/world/middleeast/07sanctions.html
...
The federal government has awarded more than $107 billion in contract payments, grants and other benefits over the past decade to foreign and multinational American companies while they were doing business in Iran, despite Washington’s efforts to discourage investment there, records show.
That includes nearly $15 billion paid to companies that defied American sanctions law by making large investments that helped Iran develop its vast oil and gas reserves.
... !!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.illuminati-news.com/Articles/68.html

Ahminijhad(sp?) totally agrees with Obama. Israel needs to be taught a lesson!. Someone from the media needs to interview Ahminijhad(sp?) and get his feelings on this situation. I'm curious whose side he is on with this one?. I have an idea what side America seems to be leaning and an interview now would reveal it for all Americans to see.

I wonder if Olivia has ever considered the Democrats "Germanlike" in their Holocaust of 50 million baby fetuses aborted since 1973?. That is a hell of a lot more bloody,shameful deaths than the Holocaust perpetrated by the Germans in the WW 2!!. Like 9 times larger!! All in the progressive name of "pro-choice" and "reproductive rights?."